North Miami Community Schools board approves Heartland roof contractor, staff pay increases and 2025–26 calendar

The North Miami Community Schools Board of School Trustees on Nov. 19 approved a series of personnel, facilities and financial measures, including acceptance of a roof replacement bid for Heartland Career Center and wage and benefit updates for district staff.

The board voted to accept AAA Roofing Co., Inc.'s 2‑ply membrane bid of $1,320,720 for the Heartland Career Center roof on a motion by Jeff Working, seconded by Amy Eckrote; the motion carried 4‑0. North Miami Community Schools is responsible for 14.16% of the project cost based on its 2025 assessed valuation. The board also approved using part of Heartland's accumulated capital funds toward NMCS’s share; the minutes record NMCS’s balance at $26,723.

Why it matters: Heartland serves students across the region; replacing the roof is a capital expense allocated among member districts. Approving AAA Roofing moves the project toward execution and requires NMCS to confirm its share of costs and payment timing.

On personnel and compensation, trustees approved a minimum $0.50 per hour wage increase for non‑certified staff, effective Jan. 1, 2025. The board also adopted an updated Administrative Definition of Benefits Handbook and set administrative salaries for 2024–25, listing the elementary principal at $87,300 and the business manager at $74,265. Motions on compensation and the handbook passed 4‑0.

The board approved multiple personnel actions: the resignation of Alisha Denham (elementary paraprofessional) and several coaching and staff appointments, including athletic allocations such as a $3,500 allotment for Boys Varsity Assistant coach Alex Kuhn and coach Lori Working assigned to both 7th and 8th grade girls basketball roles. The board approved non‑certified hires Rose Spencer (MS/HS evening custodian) and Chelsea Smith (social worker). These personnel motions were recorded as approved by the board (vote tallies recorded in the minutes).

Other business approved included the 2025–26 school calendar; acceptance of a recommended insurance renewal package for property, liability, fleet, cyber and workers compensation through McGriff totaling $105,728.25; several donations (Knights of Columbus $2,275.29 to NMCS; Miami County Optimist Club $600 to Youth Coalition; NM Booster Club $4,700 for baseball fencing mesh); and an overnight senior trip to Washington, D.C., March 14–17, 2025. The board also voted to add approximately $26,628.75 received from NIPSCO to Heartland Career Center’s student scholarship fund rather than toward the roof project. All motions recorded in the later portion of the meeting carried 4‑0.

Board updates and reports included a COSN certificate presentation to Susan Hobson (NMCS tech director), an elementary robotics program realignment presentation from Becki Lawson and Patience Hisey, corporation project updates and a note that the district’s 2024 bond was scheduled to close the following day. Student Council President Zeph Reshkus reported extracurricular successes including a Fall Ball and athletic achievements.

The board convened at 6:38 p.m. and adjourned at 8:16 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 17, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the Middle/High School.

Votes at a glance: AAA Roofing Co., Inc. roof bid accepted (motion: Working; second: Eckrote) — approved 4‑0. Use of Heartland capital funds toward NMCS share — approved 4‑0. Allocation of NIPSCO funds to Heartland scholarship fund — approved 4‑0. Non‑certified wage increase (min. $0.50/hr effective Jan. 1, 2025) — approved 4‑0. Administrative salary and benefits handbook — approved 4‑0. 2025–26 calendar — approved 4‑0. Insurance renewal ($105,728.25) — approved 4‑0. Donations and senior trip — approved 4‑0.